What guidelines are offered for monitoring adverse drug reactions in children.

The regulation and safety ofmedicines are reserved and are the responsibility of the Medicines andHealthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The MHRA and the Commission onHuman Medicines run the UK’s spontaneous adverse drug reaction reporting scheme,the Yellow Card Scheme.
Guidelines on reporting ofadverse drug reactions through the Yellow Card Scheme are provided to healthprofessionals in the British National Formulary. Health professionals(including doctors, dentists, coroners, pharmacists and nurses) are asked toreport suspected adverse reactions to any therapeutic agents, both prescribedproducts and those available over the counter, including herbal products.Detailed guidelines for health professionals and patients on what to report andhow to report suspected adverse reactions are available at www.yellowcard.gov.uk.This website also contains an electronic Yellow Card form for reporting ofsuspected adverse reactions.
In relation to adversereactions in children, the guidelines provided in the British NationalFormulary make it clear that reporting of all suspected adverse drugreactions in children is strongly encouraged through the Yellow Card Scheme.This is because less is known about the effect of drugs in children. Similarguidance is available at www.yellowcard.gov.uk.